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Things to See and Do - Alicante City Guide

Published on Tuesday 28th of June, 2005

Alicante has some world class museums, some great restaurants and a night life for all ages and types to enjoy.

Things to see

Alicante's most striking feature has to be the Castillo de Santa Bárbara (tel 96-516-21-28; admission free; open 9am-6.30pm daily Oct-Mar, 10am-7.30pm daily Apr-Sept) sitting high atop Monte Benacantil. Although remnants from the Bronze Age have been found here, the fortress itself dates between the 9th and 16th centuries. Inside is the Colección Capa (tel 96-515-29-69, www.fundacioncapa.net; admission free; open 10am-2pm/4pm-7pm Tues-Sat Oct-Mar, 10am-2pm/5pm-8pm Tues-Sat Apr-Sept, 10am-3pm Sun/holidays all year), a large exhibit of contemporary Spanish sculpture. Many works stand outside, with the Mediterranean as a dramatic backdrop. To reach Castillo de Santa Bárbara, you can walk up or take the elevator (€2.40 return) which is accessed across from the information office at Playa del Postiguet.

The MARQ Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante (tel 96-514-90-00, Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla; admission €6; open 10am-2pm/4pm-6pm Tues-Sat Oct-May, 10am-8pm Tues-Sat Jun-Sept, 10am-2pm Sun/holidays all year) will leave you spellbound. The magical display of lights, shadows, sounds and interactive images surrounds Islamic treasures, Iberian ceramic arts and Roman artefacts. It's best reached by buses No 02, 20 and 23. Inspired? Inquire about visiting Lucentum, the Ibero-Roman City.

Built in the XIII century on the the site of a mosque, the Iglesia de Santa María (tel 96-521-60-26, Plaza de Santa María) is oldest church in the town of Alicante. Restored in 2003-204, the façade is entirely Baroque.

Next door is the Museo de la Asegurada (tel 96-514-07-68, email asegurada@ctv.es, Plaza Santa María 3; admission free; open 10am-2pm/4pm-8pm Tues-Sat Sept16-May15, 10am-2pm/5pm-9pm Tues-Sat May16-Sept15, 10.30am-2.30pm Sun/holidays all year) which beautifully houses works from 114 artists, including Dalí, Gris, Chillada, Picasso and Miró. The 177 works are divided into geometric, abstract and figurative realms and are shown on a rotation basis.

The elegant Palacio Lumiares now houses the MUBAG Museo Bellas Artes Gravina (tel 96-514-67-80, www.mubag.org, Calle Gravina 13-15; admission free; open 10am-2pm/4pm-8pm Tues-Fri Oct-Apr, 10am-2pm/5pm-9pm Tues-Fri May-Sept, 10am-2pm Sun/holidays all year) . This fine-arts collection is comprised of works from the 16 th to 20 th century.

Don't miss having a peek at the charming baroque façade of the Ayuntamiento (city hall) (Plaza de Ayuntamiento), with its' four solomonic columns and large ornate doors.

Beaches

Located right in the city, the Playa del Postiguet is a nice spot to rest and have an ice cream after strolling the Alicante streets.

Playa del Postiguet is within easy strolling distance, while Playa de la Albufereta and the 2.9km long Playa de San Juan are quickly reached by buses No 09, 21 and 22.

Special Events

Hogueras de San Juan (St John's Bonfires) is Alicante's largest festival and takes place between the 20 th and 29 th of June.

Entertainment

Bars & Discos

Between 11pm and 4am, dozens of bars and discos open their doors and transform the normally tranquil streets of the El Barrio into an energetic mass of bodies and music. Put away your watch and dive in.

La Mission (Calle Virgen de Belén 9) contains three packed floors of Spaniards seething to local beats. Just as big, but a little less crazy, is La Biblioteca (Calle Montengon 6).

If you like house, drum and base or hip hop music, wade into Ovuca (Calle San José 10). They have fresh dj's every weekend.

Playing a mixture of Spanish and European dance music is Astrónomo (Calle Virgen de Belén 22).

Tasca El Coscorrón: the top of that door almost comes to chest high if you are 6 feet tall.

A good place to chill out, in the middle of it all, is Tasca El Coscorrón (Calle Tarifa 3). Look for the hobbit sized door with the pillow atop, an obvious improvement over the ‘watch your head' sign. You can't leave without trying a mojito (a chilly concoction of mint leaves, rum, sugar, and lemon).

Around 4am, a slow and steady migration occurs towards El Puerto (the port). Here, large modern clubs pump out the dance music until 6am. Puerto Di Roma takes over where La Mission left off in El Barrio, while Potato pulls in house music fans. A good mix of music can be found at Directo Café.

Theatre and Music The sumptuous interior of the Teatro Principal (tel 96-520-23-80, Plaza Ruperto Chapí) is the centre of Alicante's performing arts. Obras Sociales by Cam Cultural (tel 90-210-01-12, www.cam.es, Avenida Doctor Gadea 1) often hosts free musical and dance performances.

Next: Where to Stay and Eat in Alicante